New York City woke up to a soggy start on Saturday, May 23, 2026, with light rain, temperatures parked in the mid-50s and a cool easterly breeze that makes it feel even chillier. The gray, wet pattern is expected to linger through the holiday weekend, so plan on damp commutes and slick streets for errands and quick outdoor plans. A waterproof layer and a little extra travel time today and again on Monday will probably save you some grief.
Today Through Sunday
Rain is forecast to become steadier after about 8 a.m. Saturday and settle in as a cool, breezy soak, with highs near 57°F on Saturday and only the upper 50s on Sunday. Forecasters expect a long-duration event, with a few tenths of an inch of rain likely on Saturday and heavier rain Saturday night into Sunday that could push localized totals into the 1 to 2 inch range. That is enough to raise the risk of minor urban and poor-drainage flooding in the usual low spots.
Easterly winds will stay on the breezy side all weekend and may gust into the mid-20s to mid-30s mph along the coast, which will make it feel cooler than the thermometer suggests. According to the National Weather Service, multiple waves of low pressure will keep the region cool, wet and blustery right through Memorial Day weekend.
Coastal Hazards And Boating
If your holiday plans involved the beach, you may want a backup. Ocean beaches are under a High Rip Current risk starting Saturday morning, and a High Surf Advisory is in effect for Sunday, with breaking waves potentially close to 10 feet at more exposed spots. Small Craft Advisories cover much of the nearby waters as seas build to 10 to 11 feet offshore and 4 to 6 feet across Long Island Sound, which makes swimming and small-boat outings hazardous.
Anyone heading to the shoreline should follow lifeguard instructions, expect possible restrictions, and stay out of the water if conditions look rough. The waves will be better for watching than for wading.
Plan Ahead For Commutes And The Holiday
Plan on slower surface travel where streets pond or visibility drops, and build extra time into trips by bus, ferry or bike on Saturday and Sunday. Memorial Day itself, Monday, May 25, 2026, is expected to be milder, with a chance of leftover showers and highs near 70°F, followed by a warmer, sunnier stretch returning by midweek.
This forecast updates an earlier outlook from May 21. For more background on how this wet setup developed, see our earlier May 21 forecast discussion.
